What does AWWU's tariff say about service lines?
That keeping them thawed and clear is the owner's job. AWWU's FAQ puts the duty to keep the service line thawed and clear of obstructions on the property owner under its tariff.
That is a distinctly Alaskan duty. For a clog, sewer line jetting is one approach worth raising with a pro, and a camera inspection can document what the line looks like inside. A call gets you information about the service and a booking.
Why does cold matter so much for Anchorage sewers?
Because winter reaches pipe depth. Long cold spells with little snow cover can push frost deep, and a slow-flowing line can freeze.
Low-use lines, vacant homes and lines with sags are at higher risk. A camera shows visible sags and buildup where ice can form, and steady flow helps keep a line open.
Who maintains which part of the line in Anchorage?
AWWU's FAQ splits the system as shown here.
| Part of the line | Who maintains it | What it means when a line clogs |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer main | AWWU | AWWU assists with cleanup when the blockage is in the main |
| Service line | Property owner | The owner keeps it thawed and clear of obstructions |
| Blockage on private property | Owner | The owner bears the cost |
How does AWWU handle backups from the main?
It has a cleanup assistance policy. The FAQ says AWWU assists with cleanup if the blockage occurs in the main line, while blockages on private property are the owner's cost.
That makes finding the blockage's location important. A plumber's camera run shows whether trouble sits on your side, and a recording kept with your records helps in any conversation with AWWU.
Which Anchorage properties book jetting?
Midtown and Downtown restaurants, hotels and lodges, and apartment communities along Muldoon.
Restaurant grease goes to commercial grease line jetting, and apartment branches go to drain jetting.
How can Anchorage owners prepare for winter?
Keep water moving in the line, check that insulation around exposed pipe is intact and note any low spot where ice could form.
A camera run in early fall shows sags and buildup in the service line, and it is easier to deal with them before freeze-up. For a cabin or second home, ask a neighbor to run water occasionally, since a low-flow line is the likeliest to freeze.
Hydro jetting services in Anchorage
All seven services are available across Anchorage, for bowl homes, hillside houses, lodges and restaurants.
- Sewer line jetting on the service line from cleanout to the main
- Sewer camera inspection for 1950s and 1960s Fairview and Spenard lines
- Tree root removal after spruce or birch roots reach a joint
- Drain jetting for slow kitchens and baths
- Commercial grease line jetting for Midtown and Downtown dining rooms
- Sewer backup help for floor drains that back up in spring breakup
- Storm drain jetting for lodge lots and drains along Muldoon
Neighborhoods and nearby cities
Calls come from across Anchorage, including Midtown, Spenard, Fairview, South Anchorage, Eagle River, Muldoon, Government Hill and the Hillside.
See the Alaska page for the state overview. Help is also available in Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer, Girdwood, Chugiak and Eklutna.